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' RANGER— \ 

^ RANGE SAFETY ANALYSIS 

'AND trajectory report 



Flights RA-1 and RA-2 



Contract No. AF 04(647)-592 




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SPACE SYSTEMS DIRECTOR #3^ fitL 




LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 




MISSILES and SPACE DIVISION 



LMSD-377728 



FOREWORD 

This Range Safety Analysis, including the separate Addendum 
Appendix containing the trajectory information, has been prepared 
by the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company under Contract 
AF 04(647)-592. Authority for preparation is contained in AFSSD 
Exhibit 58-1 and LMSC NASA/Agena B Program Work Statement 
LMSD-446432. 

This report covers only the first two Ranger flights to be launched 
from Complex 12, Cape Canaveral, Florida and is submitted to 
comply with the AFMTC requirement that all agencies using the 
range facilities for missile flight operation must furnish data 
substantiating the Range Safety capabilities of the flight articles. 

Trajectory data printout listings from the IBM 7090 computer 
are issued as a separate Addendum Appendix, with distribution 
limited on the basis of use requirement and need-to-know. 



in 
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CONTENTS 



FOREWORD 

SECTION 1 
1. 1 
1. 2 

1. 3 

SECTION 2 

2. 1 
2. 2 

2. 3 

SECTION 3 

3. 1 
3. 2 

3. 3 

SECTION 4 

4. 1 
4. 2 
4. 3 
4.4 

4. 5 

SECTION 5 

5. 1 
5. 2 
5. 3 



INTRODUCTION 

General 

Range Safety Regulations and Requirements 

Description of Vehicles 

GENERAL RANGE SAFETY PROBLEMS 

General 

Flight Analysis Requirements 

Waiver Requirements 

MALFUNCTIONS 

General 

Atlas Failure Modes 

Agena Failure Modes 

FLIGHT SAFETY CRITERIA DATA 

General 

Tumbling Turn Rate Data 

Expected Effects of a Destruct Action 

Drag Estimate Plots 

Miscellaneous Data 

FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM 

General 

Atlas Flight Termination System 

Agena B Flight Termination System 



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1-1 
1-1 
1-2 
1-3 

2-1 
2-1 
2-4 
2-4 

3-1 

3-1 
3-2 

3-6 

4-1 
4-1 
4-1 
4-6 
4-8 
4-8 

5-1 
5-1 
5-1 
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CONTENTS (Continued) 

Page 
APPENDIX A A-l 

APPENDIX B B-l 

APPENDIX C C-l 

APPENDIX D D-l 

REFERENCES 

DISTRIBUTION 



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SECTION 1 
INTRODUCTION 

1.1 GENERAL 

The discussion and data in this report are required by the AFMTC Range 
Safety Officer (RSO) in establishing safe operating limits and destruct cri- 
teria for Ranger flights RA-1 and RA-2. 

The purpose of these two flights is to obtain engineering test data and operat- 
ing experience with the spacecraft vehicle system. The primary flight ob- 
jectives are to establish the suitability of the system for subsequent hard- 
landing of an instrument package on the moon and secondarily to obtain 
scientific data on the space medium. A lunar trajectory is not flown on 
these first two system tests. 

The composite vehicle will be launched from Complex 12 at AFMTC at a pad 
azimuth of 105 degrees. Shortly after liftoff, the Atlas will roll to the re- 
quired trajectory of 108 degrees east of true north. The Agena first burn will 
inject the vehicle and spacecraft into a nearly circular parking orbit about 
the earth and Agena 2nd burn will inject the spacecraft into a highly elliptical 
orbit. The trajectories are such that all impulse phases will be monitored, 
from either land-based or shipboard tracking and telemetry stations. 

The modified SM-65D Atlas missile will launch the composite vehicle and 
carry it through the ascent trajectory to a predetermined position and alti- 
tude, according to the guidance equations, where Atlas/Agena B separation 
will occur. The Atlas/Agena B separation sequence begins with jettisoning 
of the spacecraft shroud prior to separation, followed by separation. Agena 
is then pitched down to clear the shroud. After completion of the pitchdown, 



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Agena first burn ignition is initiated by the primary D-Timer. Agena first 
burn cutoff is commanded by the velocity meter when circular parking orbit 
conditions are attained. The Agena/ spacecraft remains in this orbit until 
the point is reached where the Agena second burn is necessary to transfer 
the Agena and spacecraft into the final orbit. Agena second ignition is com- 
manded by the primary D-Timer which is started by the auxiliary D-Timer. 
The auxiliary D-Timer is activated by a discrete command from the GE/ 
Burroughs Mod III-G guidance equipment during the Atlas ascent phase of 
flight. 

Second burn cutoff is initiated by the velocity meter after velocity required 
to inject the spacecraft into an extended elliptical orbit has been achieved. 
Separation of the spacecraft is followed by an Agena B retro maneuver which 
will prevent it from following in the spacecraft trajectory. The unpowered 
Ranger spacecraft will continue on to complete it's scientific mission. 

1. 2 RANGE SAFETY REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

Since there are inherent dangers to life and property in the flight testing of 
space vehicles, it is mandatory that all reasonable precautions be taken to 
minimize these dangers. The Range Safety Program is designed to prevent 
accidents and incidents that may result in damage to property or injury to 
personnel from such operations. 

Certain information and data are required by the Range in order to define 
safety limits and implement range safety procedures. This includes tabu- 
lations as a function of time for the predicted location of the vehicle; the 
instantaneous impact points in vacuum for nominal and three sigma deviation 
trajectories; and impact dispersions and maximum turn rate information. 
Plots are required of the estimated drag coefficients for re-entry bodies and 
re-entry pieces. Discussion is desirable on typical malfunctions and ex- 
pected behavior of vehicle, expected effect of a de struct action, and other 
characteristics and/or peculiarities of significance. 



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The purpose of this report is to provide the needed range safety information 
on behalf of the launching agency, 

1. 3 DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLES 

The composite flight configuration for all Ranger missions consists of three 
vehicles. These are the Atlas Series D modified, the Agena B modified, and 
the Ranger Spacecraft. The two booster vehicles both have several distinct 
impulse phases. In the Atlas they are the booster, sustainer, and vernier 
phases. In the Agena B the phases are first burn and second burn. The 
composite flight vehicle is shown in Figure A-l. 

1. 3. 1 Atlas 



The first booster is an Atlas SM-65D modified, Serial Nos. HID and 117D, 
Propellants used are liquid oxygen and RJ-1. Flight control in pitch, yaw, 
and roll is accomplished by positioning the gimballed engines. Roll is 
controlled by the booster and vernier engines during the first phase and by 
the vernier engines during the last two impulse phases. Guidance is pro- 
vided by the GE Mod III-G system. This radio-inertial guidance system 
consists of a rate beacon, pulse beacon, decoder, and associated X-band 
waveguide and antenna assemblies. The guidance system operates in con- 
junction with related ground equipment to perform rate measuring, position 
measuring, and data link functions. Position and rate information are com- 
pared with pre-computed stored trajectory information by a ground computer 
which generates command correction data. This data is received by the 
pulse beacon where it is decoded and superimposed on the gyro-inertial and 
programmer signals feeding the autopilot. The autopilot controls the engine 
thrust chambers to guide the missile onto the desired flight path, thus clos- 
ing the guidance loop. 

Requirements for the second booster and the Lunar mission necessitates 
certain structural and equipment modification in the Atlas booster. Major 




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differences between a Series D R&D Atlas and a modified Atlas for the Ranger 
program are as follows: 

a. The forward liquid oxygen tank section skin thickness has been 
increased for added rigidity, necessitated by the weight of the 
Agena B and the spacecraft. 

b. The standard re-entry vehicle adapter has been deleted and re- 
placed with the Agena B adapter furnished by LMSD. This 
adapter incorporates a self-contained Agena B separation 
system. 

c. The Atlas retrorockets, mountings and harness, have been 
deleted from the B-l equipment pod and relocated to the Agena 
adapter. 

d. A section of the B-l pod-to-forward adapter wire way has been 
replaced by a larger streamlined housing and mounting provision 
has been made (at Station 675) for the forward rate gyros. 

e. The Atlas vehicle equipment pods have been modified to reflect 
electronic equipment changes and to reduce overall weight. The 
upper pod is a modified B-l pod similar to that used on the 
Project Mercury Atlas booster. The lower pod is extended to 
accommodate GE guidance equipment relocated from the upper 
pod. 

f. The flight control system utilizes a more reliable transistorized 
autopilot, relocated rate gyros, and a modified programmer. 
The modified items in the programmer are the pitch program 
and switching junction. 

g. The transistorized Mod III-G radio inertial guidance set replaced 
the Mod III-A because of weight and reliability considerations. 

h. The Azusa system Type C transponder replaced the heavier 
Type B coherent transponder. 

1. 3. 2 Agena B 

The orbital booster is a modified Agena B, Model 10205, Serial Nos. 6001 
and 6002. It has an engine restart capability and uses IRFNA and UDMH as 
propellants. Flight control is accomplished by two means after separation 
from the Atlas. Pitch and yaw are controlled by positioning the gimballed 
rocket engine during impulse phases and by cold gas jets during all other 
phases. Roll is controlled by the cold gas system at all times. The guid- 
ance system consists of an inertial reference package (IRP), a velocity 



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meter, a horizon sensor, sequence timers, attitude programming circuitry, 
attendant electronic assemblies, and a secondary junction box containing the 
telemetry conditioning circuits. This system requires signals from the Atlas 
booster to start the timer(s) and uncage the inertial reference package prior 
to separation from the Atlas. Following separation, this subsystem takes 
over and provides the guidance necessary to establish the desired trajectory. 

1.3.3 Ranger Spacecraft 

The Ranger spacecraft, Figure B-l, has been developed by the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory specifically for the Lunar missions. RA-1 and RA-2 do not con- 
tain a propulsion system. After injection, maneuvers are limited to attitude 
control by means of cold gas jets. The spacecraft consists of the following 
components; vehicle structure, superstructure with omni-antenna, electro- 
static analyzer, solar panel assemblies, 4-ft parabolic antenna, battery 
packs, and six modules containing various system components and scientific 
experiments. A protective shroud covers the payload during the Atlas boost 
phase. Components having the highest density and structural integrity are 
the six modules and battery pack. A weight breakdown of spacecraft modules 
appears in Table 1-1. 

Table 1-1 
RANGER SPACECRAFT HIGH DENSITY COMPONENT MODULES 

Principal Components Approximate Weight 

Box one including 28-Ib battery 60 lbs 

Box two 37 

Box three 35 

Box four 28 

Box five 36 

Box six Ul 

Structure including 121-lb "battery 232 

Spacecraft total » . • « » 671 lbs 
Contingency .»•.*.. 15 lbs 




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SECTION 2 
GENERAL RANGE SAFETY PROBLEMS 

2. 1 GENERAL 

In general the range safety problem is restricted to that portion of the flight 
that occurs between first motion and orbital velocity. Once orbital velocity 
has been achieved and thrust has terminated, the instantaneous impact point 
(IIP) leaves the surface of the earth and becomes indeterminate. The poten- 
tial hazard to any area overflown by an orbiting vehicle then theoretically 
becomes nil. Therefore, in terms of range safety it is not necessary to con- 
sider those portions of flight that occur after the IIP becomes indeterminate. 

Recent studies have shown that survival of hardware is possible after orbital 
decay and therefore a re-entry vehicle can become a safety problem. It is 
difficult, however, to predict the point of impact once an object has achieved 
orbital velocity. While certain malfunctions could prevent second ignition 
and cause such a problem, it is not considered to be within the range safety 
domain. Re-entry of the Agena B after second burn is also in this category. 

It is conceivable, but most improbable, that the flight vehicle could assume 
an attitude such that the second burn impulse would cause premature re-entry. 
An extended first burn would cause an elliptical orbit if the flight vehicle at- 
titude has not deviated excessively from the programmed values. Re-entry 
will result if the attitude has deviated excessively. 

Re-entry of the flight vehicle due to a malfunction after Atlas sustainer cut- 
off would be expected to cause breakup similar to that of a destruct action. 
The extent of breakup and the dispersion of the re-entry pieces would be a 
function of the tangential velocity at the time of malfunction. The Range 
Safety Analysis for Ranger* considers two velocity conditions during the 



Siegler Corporation, Inglewood, Calif., SSTG TR 61-48, NASA Ranger Program Range Safety Analysis, 
10 March 1961, Secret 



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Agena B first burn phase. They are: first, a premature thrust termination 
just before orbital velocity is reached, and second, a premature thrust ter- 
mination a few seconds after first Agena B ignition. The first condition will 
generate maximum re-entry velocity and minimum re-entry angle while the 
second condition gives minimum re-entry velocity and a large re-entry angle. 
Large W/CjA pieces were found to impact relatively close to the vacuum 
impact point, while small W/C^A pieces were found to fall farther back- 
range. For the first condition, the impact point for the piece going the 
farthest distance was approximately 58 nm short of the vacuum impact point 
while those going the shortest distance impact approximately 165 nm short 
of vacuum impact point. This gives a dispersion of approximately 107 nm in 
an 11,000 foot corridor cross range. The dispersion for the second condition 
was approximately 30 nm. 

The mean point of impact is influenced by three factors. They are the initial 
position of the vehicle at the time of the malfunction, the nature of the mal- 
function, and the prevailing wind during re-entry. The previously cited 
analysis considers these factors along with the lethal area of the re-entry 
pieces, the reliability of the flight articles, and the population and geography 
of the areas hazarded by overflight. This analysis computes the impact 
probability (PJ and the kill probability (P K ) for three exit azimuths which 
have a flight altitude similar (93. 7 nm vs 100 nm) to the RA-1 and RA-2 
flights. These probabilities for the 108 degree azimuth are tabulated below. 
They are considered to be valid for the 100 nm altitude. The islands haz- 
arded by overflight on this azimuth are Rochedas Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo, 
Ascension, and St. Helena. Probabilities were also computed as special 
cases for Antigua on a 108 degree azimuth, and for South America on a 
114 degree azimuth. Since the numbers derived for these special cases are 
insignificant when compared with the numbers tabulated below, they are not 
included. 



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Table 2-1 
SUMMARY OF Pj AND P R FOR A 108 DEGREE EXIT AZIMUTH 

-5 -10 

P T x 10 ? P„ x 10 



K 



Africa 5.98 1,0^3.29 

Islands 0A5 0.91 

Total 6.^3 l,0M+.20 

During the period from shortly after launch to Atlas sustainer cutoff, the 
flight vehicle will not hazard a land area on the 108 degree azimuth since 
the IIP occurs on water. Moreover, trajectory deviations considerably in 
excess of those expected will not endanger a land area for the same reason. 

Both the first and second boosters have a de struct capability through the 
Atlas Range Safety Command subsystem up to the point of Agena separation. 
In the event of an abnormal flight, there are no conditions other than the 
Range Safety De struct Criteria for which a premature termination of flight 
is acceptable. This ensures receipt of the maximum possible data in order 
to determine the cause of such abnormal performance. 

During launch the pad and immediate environs are endangered until the IIP 
moves over water. In the event of a malfunction this IIP can endanger land 
areas uprange and crossrange as well. Destruct action during this launch 
period can be as precarious as allowing impact on land. Past experience 
has shown that the destruct and propellant explosion effectively destroys and 
disperses most of the structural assembly. The larger pump assemblies 
and electronic packages that survived impacted in a direction of the planned 
trajectory, toward the ocean and away from the launch area. 



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2.2 FLIGHT ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS 

The Air Force Range Safety Division AFMTC has specified the contractor 
data submittal requirements for range safety analysis in a general set of 
instructions*. 

The significant criteria in so much as these flights are concerned is item two 
of the instructions which states that trajectory data need only be presented 
from launch up to a point in flight where the remaining missile stage contains 
no emergency flight termination system. Therefore Appendices C and D 
contains data up to Agena separation. 

2. 3 WAIVER REQUIREMENTS 

The Flight Range Safety Waiver requested in accordance with AFMTC 
instructions* is required because: 

a. The instantaneous impact point will have to cross South Africa. 

b. Due to weight considerations which would compromise the 
mission, a separate and independent destruct system with R-F 
receivers and attendant electronic equipment is not desired. 

c. Trajectory azimuths may approach or exceed normal range 
safety limits. 

This document, along with the impact probability study submitted previously**, 
is intended to support the waiver request mentioned above. The waiver of 
the Agena destruct system is based on the kill probability calculations of 
reference (c)f ^therefore an attempt to analyze all re-entry burn-up conditions 
is not attempted in this report. 



* AFMTC/MTRSM/R M. Montgomery /65 17 (14pp), 9 June 1960 

** SSTG TR 61-48, NASA Ranger Program Range Safety Analysis, Siegler Corp., lnglewood, Calif., 
10 March 1961, Secret 

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SECTION 3 
MALFUNCTIONS 

3. 1 GENERAL 

Most malfunctions are incorrect performance of the Guidance and Control or 
Propulsion subsystems. Failure to separate correctly or a tracking beacon 
failure are other malfunctions. A structural failure is most unlikely if the 
flight vehicle is performing normally. Abnormal performance in any one 
subsystem or a combination of subsystem malfunctions, can result in a 
structural failure. 

Breakup will certainly result if the flight vehicle does not enter orbit. 
Factors contributing to vehicle breakup will vary, depending on the phase of 
flight. The most obvious, and least likely, is impact with either land or 
water caused by a malfunction during the early ascent phase. Control system 
malfunctions which are beyond compensation by the guidance system can 
cause bending failure during this period. Bending failure can also occur 
during certain periods with all power off. Tension failure can result under 
certain conditions when the vehicle tumbles. Aerodynamic forces will cause 
breakup if the allowable angle of attack is exceeded. Aerodynamic forces 
will also cause breakup during re-entry if the velocity is high enough. A 
destruct action can of course cause breakup at any time that this capability 
exists (launch to sustainer engine cutoff). 

The malfunctions in each subsystem can be classified into major and minor 
categories. From a range safety point of view a "major" malfunction is one 
that will cause the flight vehicle to violate range safety restrictions while a 
"minor" malfunction prevents the flight vehicle from achieving normal 
trajectory. 



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The discussion that follows is indicative of the wide variety of failures 
which could be encountered during a flight. It is general in nature and is 
not intended to be exhaustive. 

3.2 ATLAS FAILURE MODES 

3.2.1 Minor Failures 

3.2.1.1 Incorrect Pitch Program. A pitching rate that was too low would 
result in an abnormally high trajectory. In the extreme case of total ab- 
sence of pitching, the missile would continue on a vertical flight path to 
engine burnout or cutoff. A high pitching rate would cause the vehicle to fly 
at a lower altitude than desired, and in the extreme case would continue to 
pitch downward until impact while still under propulsion. Pitching 180 degrees 
out of phase is another case that could occur. If the vehicle pitched 
180 degrees out of phase from that which was programmed, it would start 
up- range over the mainland. 

Any of the forementioned cases could cause the vehicle to assume a dan- 
gerous position or attitude. An incorrect pitch program could be caused by 
a variety of conditions such as incorrect wiring, fluctuation of the power 
supply, incorrect setting of the programmer pitch cam, and out- of- tolerance 
gyro off- set. 

3.2. 1.2 Incorrect Roll Program. The absence of programmed roll through 
the vertical portion of the trajectory immediately after launch would result 
in a trajectory azimuth of 105 degrees since the vehicle will be oriented on 
the launcher for flight in that direction. Minor errors in the roll program 
are corrected by the guidance system after booster cutoff. 

Excessive roll of the vehicle during the vertical phase of flight would, 
generally, cause the vehicle to assume a course that could endanger over- 
flown areas. If this type of irregularity could not be corrected immediately 
by the guidance system, the flight may have to be terminated. 



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The same type of malfunctions that would cause an incorrect pitch program 
could also cause an incorrect roll program. Both types of flight irregular- 
ities could occur during the same period, but this is considered improbable 
because of the chain of events that would have to take place simultaneously. 

Closed loop tests are conducted during the countdown. This will assure that 
the booster is operative as an integrated unit. In particular it will demon- 
strate the proper operation of the flight programmer, guidance, autopilot, 
and control systems. 

3.2. 1.3 Minor Control Failures . Spurious commands to the rocket gimbal- 
ling mechanism, or a malfunction of the mechanism itself, could produce 
improper maneuvering. These excursions could range from a slow yaw or 
pitch turn to one at the maximum turning rate. The probability of a pro- 
longed turn at the maximum rate seems very low since the amount of engine 
gimballing must be controlled to maintain such a turn. In addition, the 
allowable angle of attack must not be exceeded at the lower altitudes. 

Generally, control failures will be of the major type since the deflection 
angle of the rocket engines is critical. 

3.2. 1.4 Minor Propulsion Failures. Minor propulsion malfunctions are 
but remotely possible. Most failures in the propulsion system are expected 
to be of a major nature. 

3.2.2 Major Failures 

The following are typical of major failures which could be encountered 
during flight. 

3.2.2. 1 Major Control Failure. A major control failure could result from 
spurious rocket deflection, power supply fluctuations, or anomalous dynamic 
effects which are beyond the capabilities of the control system to counteract 
due to the limitations on rocket engine deflections. The booster engine is 



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limited to a maximum possible deflection of 4. 5 degrees, of which 2 degrees 
are required to handle gusts and other disturbances. The remaining 
2. 5 degrees are available to trim steady- state aerodynamic lift. As a 
result, the permissible steady-state angle of attack is restricted to less 
than 10 degrees during the period from 30 to 100 seconds of flight. This 
trimmable angle of attack could be exceeded in less than 0. 5 second follow- 
ing a major control failure. 

It is estimated that the vehicle would fail structurally before it had rotated 
through 90 degrees during the first 100 seconds of flight while still under 
full propulsion. This could occur in less than 2 seconds in the event of 
major control failure. 

3.2.2.2 Major Propulsion Failure. Total loss of thrust during the first 
30 seconds of flight would result in impact within or adjacent to the Cape. 
Tumbling can occur at nearly any time during the first 100 seconds of flight 
because the flight vehicle is aerodynamic ally unstable. 

Total loss of thrust by only one of the Atlas booster thrust chambers could 
send the vehicle into rapid tumbling motions, depending upon the deflection 
of the functioning chamber at the time of the malfunction. The most likely 
failures which could cause engine shutdown are listed below: 

a. Severe shift in mixture ratio — the purpose of the propellant 
utilization system is to maintain a desired mixture ratio 
between the propellants as they are expended. 

b. Pump or gas generator system failure — either failure will 
deny propellants to the engine(s). 

c. Pump cavitation — this condition will cause the pump to overspeed 
which will result in a pump failure. A sufficient combination of 
dynamic and static head on the pumps throughout the vehicle's 
trajectory has been provided and tested on previous flights to 
give a high degree of assurance that this will not occur. 

The vernier engines provide roll control during main engine burn. In the 
event they shut down during powered flight, the vehicle could roll, which 
would result in a loss of pitch/yaw control. This loss would produce an 



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erratic flight. The flight history of the Atlas shows that the possibility of 
this malfunction is very improbable. Assurance of correct vernier engine 
operation is obtained prior to Atlas release. 

3.2.2.3 Major Structural Failure. Major structural failures could be 
caused by hard-over engine deflections, or by a combination of dynamic 
gust loads on the airframe. Scheduled wind soundings prior to launch will 
provide wind profile data which are teletyped to Sunnyvale where they are 
processed by a computer. The computer output data will be analyzed to 
determine whether or not wind conditions permit a safe launch. The launch 
recommendation will be transmitted to LMSD, Hanger E, at Cape Canaveral. 
Additional unscheduled soundings will be taken and processed if the forecast 
for the areas of interest indicate that a questionable wind condition may 
exist. 

A vehicle break-up study was made by Convair and three types of failures 
investigated in both the pitch and yaw planes were felt to cover the extreme 
possibilities. It was concluded from this study that up to approximately 
120 seconds after launch, bending failure will occur under the maximum 
load conditions in the yaw plane with both booster thrust chambers locked 
in the extreme position § = ±4. 5 degrees. In the pitch plane from approxi- 
mately 100 to 115 seconds, the vehicle could fail in bending with all power 
off. Bending rather than tension failure will occur up to 120 seconds since 
the angles of attack at which failure in bending occur are less than 90 degrees, 
while a tension failure results from a condition in which the vehicle is 
tumbling, with thrust control lost, and has passed through a 90 degree angle 
of attack during its rotation. 

A check was also made on the possibility of bulkhead failure due to increased 
tension loads. It was concluded that a tension failure in the skin would occur 
before the bulkheads failed because of the larger margin of safety for the 
bulkheads. 



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The Atlas test vehicles have a design structural limit of 10 g's, but it is 
felt that the skin could take up to 11.5 g's in axial tension before failure. 

3.2.3 Success Probability 

An estimated probability of success can be made on the basis of twelve 
Atlas space booster launches to date. Two were failures. The classification 
of two others remain uncertain in that the cause of the flight failure could 
be either the Atlas booster or the respective second booster. Two proba- 
bilities can be derived: an optimistic one by assuming the two questionable 
flights to be successful, and a pessimistic one by assuming the two flights 
to be failures. The first probability will then be 5/6 and the second 2/3. 
One de struct action was taken in these twelve space booster flights. This 
is also the approximate destruct ratio for all Atlas flights. 

3.3 AGENA FAILURE MODES 

Due to the changing modes of vehicle operation, the effect of a subsystem 
or component malfunction varies greatly with the moment of occurrence. 
This discussion of Agena failure modes is arranged in the same order as 
the sequence of events. 

The activation of guidance and attitude control in the Agena B/ Ranger begins 
at Atlas/Agena B separation; however, certain events prior to this have a 
strong bearing on the behavior of the Agena B/Ranger after separation. 
Malfunctions before separation in the Atlas D portion of the flight vehicle 
have only indirect influence on this study and will be discussed separately. 
Relative probabilities of the most likely causes of failure in the Agena B 
are given in Table 3-1. 

3.3.1 Failures Before Atlas/Agena B Separation 

3.3. 1. 1 Primary D-Timer , The first start signal for the primary D timer 
is provided by an Atlas guidance command at 287. 3 seconds followed by two 

3-6 




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Table 3-1 
AGENA B FAILURE PROBABILITIES 



Circumstances 

At first Agena engine start : 
Engine ignition failure 
Vehicle attitude control failure 
Loss of yaw control 
Vehicle reference heading incorrect 
Incorrect pitch attitude 

During first Agena engine burn: 
Premature engine cutoff 
Vehicle loses pitch or yaw control 
Engine locks hard over 
Engine locks near zero gimbal angle 



Probability 

0.017723 
0.00^119 
0.000011 
0.000002 
0.000013 

0.017700 
0.000082 
0.000088 
0.000028 



backup signals. Failure to start the timer will result in no operation of the 
Agena B/Ranger after Atlas/Agena B separation. Due to the design of the 
timer, only the following two failure modes should be recognized: 

a. Synchronous motor and gear train stops. 

b. Individual switch unit fails . 

For item b, the consequences of the respective switch unit failures will be 
discussed at the point that the unit was scheduled to operate. 

3.3.1.2 Uncage Agena Gyros. The Atlas VECO signal at 295. 3 seconds also 
provides the "uncage gyro" command with two backup signals following. 
Failure to uncage any one gyro will result in loss of control of the corre- 
sponding function (pitch, yaw, or roll) after Atlas/Agena B separation. 

3.3. 1.3 Jettison Nose Fairing. Atlas guidance sends the first nose shroud 
ejection signal at 296.8 seconds followed by two backup signals. Failure to 
jettison the 181 pound nose shroud will not prevent the programmed attitude 



3-7 



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and propulsion events to bring the Agena B /Ranger into a parking orbit but 
will prevent the Agena from achieving the desired final energy. 

3.3.2 Failure During Atlas /Agena B Separation 

The original command given by Atlas guidance is followed by two backup 
signals. Since the various errors and events at separation will continue to 
influence the Agena B/Ranger behavior after separation, these will be dealt 
with in detail. 

3.3.2. 1 Mechanical Separation. The Agena moves out of the Atlas-mounted 
adapter on dual rollers engaging three guide rails spaced symmetrically 
inside the adapter. Considerable clearance exists between rollers and rails. 
After firing the separation pin-pullers, a 200-pound thrust is required to 
initiate the separation movement, and a 3 5-pound thrust is needed to sustain 
the motion. At 299. 8 seconds, Atlas guidance commands the start of the 
separation cycle (followed by two backup signals). This fires the pin-puller 
squibs and ignites two adapter-mounted retrorockets. Each of the latter 
develops sufficient thrust to execute separation. A separation switch will 
then activate the pneumatic attitude control system. Should the retrorockets 
fail to ignite, the subsequent firing of the two Agena ullage rockets provides 
enough thrust to push the Agena B out of the adapter. 

Failure of the pin-pullers to release will not only retain the mechanical 
bond between Atlas and Agena but will also prevent the attitude control 
system from operating. The flight vehicle will retain the same relative 
attitude as it had at Atlas VECO, subject to the angular and linear velocities 
prevailing at VECO. The primary D-timer will continue to operate, as the 
separation switch has no "hold-fire" circuit, and will fire the two ullage 
rockets at 336.3 seconds. 

It is expected that the ullage rockets, being pointed outwards, will burn 
holes in the adapter wall but not cause any other damage. The Agena engine 
start signal will come from the D-timer at 348. 3 seconds and a normal 



3-8 



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start sequence is anticipated. As the Agena engine thrust is not sufficient 
to overcome the holddown bolts, it is probable that the engine jet will 
destroy the front end of the Atlas and free the adapter. If an explosion 
damaging the Agena does not occur, a fly-away will take place, but the roll 
attitude control system will be still inoperative. The 9 degree Agena pitch- 
over program will cause the engine to go hard over to correct the position; 
however, the center of gravity will be behind the engine gimbal point and a 
further pitch-up will occur until the Atlas falls away. 

3.3.2.2 IRP Gyro Saturation. The three gyros used for pitch, yaw, and 
roll control will saturate at a 12 degree error. If only one retrorocket 
fires, a pitch rate of 0. 12 degree per second will be imparted to the Agena 
and the time to completely separate from the Atlas will take 6 instead of 
3 seconds. During separation, experience with previous flights indicate 
a maximum Agena B turn rate of 1 degree per second as a result of mechan- 
ical "bumping". Both these values -will cause Agena gyro errors well 
below the permissible limits for the gyros used. 

3.3.3 Failures After Atlas /Agena B Separation 

3.3.3. 1 Coast Period . When separation is completed at about 301.8 seconds, 
the Agena B/Ranger coasts for 34.5 seconds. After 11.5 seconds, a high 
rate pitch-down program is initiated, lasting three seconds. A lower pitch- 
down program is then begun and at the same time the horizon sensor (H/S) 
is connected to the pitch and roll gyros. This latter program continues 
through the first Agena engine burning period. 

3.3.3.2 Time Period 301. 8 to 313. 3 Seconds . At separation, the pneu- 
matic attitude control system is activated and the IRP, through the flight 
control electronics and the gas jets, retains the vehicle attitude at VECO. 
The following failure modes are possible: 

a. Excessive or lack or yaw control 

b. Excessive or lack of pitch control 

c. Excessive or lack of roll control. 



3-9 




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As the saturation rate of turn for the gyros in the IRP package will be 
rapidly attained if any one attitude control jet opens and stays open 
(0. 4 sec for roll, 2. 8 sec for pitch and yaw gyro), the vehicle will be out 
of control. The same applies if complete lack of control should occur, 
while a reduced rate of control will not necessarily affect the possibility of 
entering the parking orbit. 

3.3.3.3 Time Period 313. 3 to 316. 3 Seconds. At 313 . 3 seconds, the 
primary D-timer commands a high rate (180 degree /minute) pitch-down 
movement while retaining yaw and roll attitude as before. This will enable 
the Agena B/Ranger to pitch down 9 degrees to the proper attitude for first 
Agena engine burning. In addition to the failure modes of the previous 
period, the following mode is possible. 

If the primary D-timer does not command high rate pitch-down the comments 
of Paragraph 3.3.3.2 are applicable. 

It should also be noted that a high pitch-up attitude error will remain at the 
time of the Agena engine's first start, if the primary D-timer does not com- 
mand a high rate pitch-down, since the horizon sensor (H/S) will not have 
sufficient gain to restore the vehicle to near horizontal attitude during the 
time period 316.3 to 348.3 seconds. 

3.3.3.4 Time Period 316. 3 to 336. 3 Seconds . At 31 6. 3 seconds, the 
primary D-timer switches the high rate pitch-down program to a lower 
rate pitch-down (3. 54 degree/minute) and connects the H/S to the pitch and 
roll gyros with a control level of 3 degree/minute/degree of angular error. 
The combined output of the commanded pitch- down rate and the H/S program 
is calculated to keep the Agena B/Ranger at an average pitch attitude of 

+ 3.2 degrees above local horizon. In addition to the failures listed in 
Paragraph 3.3. 3. 2, the following modes are possible: 

a. Primary D-timer does not change from high to low pitch- 
down rate 

b. Horizon sensor is not connected to IRP gyros. 



3-10 



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Failure of changeover to the lower pitch-down rate will cause the vehicle to 
continue over at approximately 3 degree/ second. Should the H/S fail to give 
input to the gyros, the resulting pitch- plane control would give too low a 
vehicle attitude during the early period of Agena engine burning and too high 
an attitude at the end of the period. 

It should be recognized that a failure of certain parts in the IRP and flight 
control electronics could conceivably cause temporary saturation of the yaw 
gyro by creating an excessive turn rate. This would force the gyro to take 
up a changed reference heading. Such an intermittent failure would then 
result in the vehicle taking up a new flight azimuth. The probability of 
such an event is covered in the following paragraphs. 

3.3.3. 5 First Agena B Engine Burning. Agena first burn is scheduled for 
the period 336. 3 to 498. 9 seconds. This time period also includes a portion 
of the ullage rocket burn time which ensures engine ignition. At 33 6. 3 sec- 
onds, the velocity meter is activated, and the ullage rockets ignited. At 
348. 3 seconds the main Agena engine start cycle is originated by the 
primary D-timer which also shifts pitch and yaw control from pneumatic to 
hydraulic (engine gimballing) operation. The pitch program is unchanged 
and roll control is still executed by the IRP package through the gas jets. 
As the engine cutoff circuit is not activated until 487. 3 seconds, the engine 
should not stop until after that time. The velocity meter cutoff point is 
nominally scheduled for 498.9 seconds. The backup signal for engine cut- 
off is sent by the primary D-timer at 507. 3 seconds. 

The major changeover of control functions at the beginning of this period 
justifies tabulating the applicable failure modes during the first Agena 
engine run: 

a. Engine fails to start 

b. Premature engine cutoff 

c. Excessive or lack of roll control (pneumatic) 

d. Excessive or lack of yaw control (hydraulic) 



3-11 




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e. Excessive or lack of pitch control (hydraulic) 

f. H/S failure 

g. Primary D-timer fails to enable engine cutoff, or send backup 
stop signal 

h. Velocity meter provides early or late cutoff signal. 

For this study, engine starting failure will result in no safety complications 
because the IIP is on water. An early engine cutoff could result in unde- 
sirable premature downrange impacts, while the difficulties in roll, yaw, 
and pitch control would result in loss of control. A failure of the primary 
D-timer to activate engine cutoff would lead to engine burning until fuel de- 
pletion, which in turn would result in too high an orbital velocity and an 
elliptic parking orbit. As the primary D-timer prevents the velocity meter 
from sending an early engine cutoff signal before 487. 3 seconds, near park- 
ing orbit velocity would be achieved. Engine cutoff at 487. 25 seconds will, 
for nominal and 3a trajectories, result in Agena impacts as given in Table 3-2. 
Impact occurs in a safe area in both nominal and 3a trajectories. Trajectory 
parameters for a time corresponding to the "backup" engine cutoff setting, 
as given in Table 3-3, are orbital for both the nominal and 3cr slow trajecto- 
ries. Late engine cutoff (507. 3 seconds) would provide an orbital velocity 
only slightly in excess of the desired one. 

3. 3. 3. 6 Structural Failure During Ascent . Separation of the Agena B from 
the Atlas during flight would be the result of a failure of the tension ties at 
Station 388. 55; or, a bending failure in other areas, namely, Agena Sta- 
tions 377 to 388, and in the Atlas at approximately Station 850. The most 
probable cause of such a failure would be that one or more engines were 
locked hard over. Separation of Station 388. 55 would automatically fire the 
premature separation destruct circuit, destroying the Agena B. 



3-12 



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LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT CORPORATION 



3-13 




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SECTION 4 
FLIGHT SAFETY CRITERIA DATA 

4. 1 GENERAL 

Certain characteristics and expected behaviors of the flight vehicle are dis- 
cussed in this section. Each discussion item is included to fulfill some 
requirement not otherwise covered in another part of this report. They 
supplement the tabulations contained in the appendices as data to establish 
a safe flight criteria. 

4. 2 TUMBLING TURN RATE DATA 

Tumbling turn rate data for the Atlas D have been calculated' 1 ' by CV-A for 
a representative flight vehicle. Calculations for tumbling turns have also 
been made at LMSD for a flight vehicle very similar to the Ranger vehicle. 
The results of these LMSD calculations have shown that the flight path angle 
magnitudes are either equal to or somewhat less than those given in the 
referenced CV-A document; and this data may therefore be used without 
modification for Ranger flights RA-1 and RA-2. 

It is recognized that this could result in a somewhat more restrictive de- 
struct criteria than if actual rates were used. The method of calculation 
of a tumbling vehicle is given below. Typical results from the LMSD calcu- 
lations are compared in Figure 4-1 with th- turn rates contained in GV-A 
calculations*. 



* Convair- Astronautics, AZN-27-117, Angular Turn of Velocity Vector Due to Tumbling D Series Missile, 
15 June 1959, Confidential 

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ROLL AXIS 




4.2. 1 Method of Calculation of Tumbling Vehicle 

A tumbling vehicle under the action of gravity, aerodynamics, and thrust 
is shown. The roll axis of the missile makes an angle 9 with the local 
horizontal. The angular velocity of the roll axis is given by 



6 = p + Q 



(1) 



where fi represents the rotation of the center of gravity about the earth's 
center and Q represents the rotation of the vehicle about its center of 
gravity. The first term of Equation (1) is given by the relation: 



V 



fi 



cos y 

R 



(2) 



and the second term is given by the relation 

Q = 



6 "/t[ d 



QC mQ qS + F N X + T sin SX T +: g^ X e Q 



(3) 



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20 



18 



16 



14 



12 



o 

UJ 

9. 10 

< 




LMSD-377728 



























REFERENCE (a). 


PAGE 20 






/ 




















/ 


/ 






GIMBAL ANGLE 


= 2 DEG 






/ 


/ 


















\/ 




/ 


















/\ 




/ 


















/ 


s/ 


















/ 




/ 
















f 






' 






GIM 


BAL A 


^GLE 


= 4 DE 


:G 


N' 






















i 






















i 






















1 


















/ 






















// 






















// 






















// 






















// 






















// 






















/ 






















/ 




















/ 


1 




















// 






















// 






















1 
















. LMSD DATA 


1 

If 
















CVAC DATA 


II 






















1 




















/ 






















// 






















// 






















/ 




















// 
// 

/ / 


/ 













y 



12 3 4 5 

Atg (SEC) 

Figure 4-1 Turn Angle of Velocity Vector vs t for time = 24 seconds 



4-3 



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where 



V = velocity, ft/ sec 

T = thrust, lbs 

S = gimbal angle, deg 

a = angle of attack, deg 

7 = flight path angle, deg 

F^ = aerodynamic normal force, lb 

g = acceleration of gravity at earth's surface, ft/ sec 

2 

I zz = pitch moment of inertia, slug-ft 

X = distance between CG and CP, ft 

X T = distance between CG and engine gimbal point, ft 

X = distance between CG and nozzle exit plane, ft 

W =• fuel flow rate, lb/ sec 

CrnA = damping in pitch coefficient 

S = reference area, ft 

2 
q = dynamic pressure, lbs/ft 



R 



radius from the center of the earth to the missile CG, ft 



In order to evaluate aerodynamic coefficients in Equation (3), it is necessary 
to consider high angles of attack. The coefficients will be increased over 
those for the zero-lift condition due to the crossflow coefficients at high 
angles of attack. The equations for center of pressure location and aero- 
dynamic normal force are: 



N, 



(CPJ + c N _ (CPJ 



X 



cp 



N 



+ C 



B 



N, 



(4) 



F N = C * S(C N + C N> 



(5) 



4-4 



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where 



<!).„ = Cj. cos a sin a 
B 

C^j = zero lift normal force coefficient 

a 
o 

CP = center of pressure at a - deg 

b B . 2 _ 
sin a C, 



C ref co 

S-r, /<-• = ratio of planform area to reference area 

ref 

C-. = crossflow drag coefficient 
co 

CP = the station at which the crossflow normal force acts 
c 



All items in Equations (1) through (5) are instantaneous vehicle parameters. 
The solution of this set of equations gives the instantaneous turning rate in 
the vertical plane. Corresponding rates for the horizontal plane are obtained 
by adding the gravitational correction term: 

Sj^LZ (6) 

The change in 9 over any given time interval is found by integration of 
Equation (1). The angle of attack, a, is given by the relation 

a = tan — (7) 

/J- 

where 

co = component of missile velocity along yaw axis 
/j, = component of missile velocity along roll axis 

Finally, the angle turned through by the velocity vector during the tumble is 
given as: 

A7 = AG - Act (8) 



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4. 3 EXPECTED EFFECTS OF A DESTRUCT ACTION 

4.3.1 General 

It is expected that a destruct action will result in complete dispersion of the 
fuels and breakup of both booster vehicles. The extent of these results will 
depend on the time during flight at which the destruct action is taken. Some 
of the variables involved are the amount of fuel remaining in each tank, the 
velocity of the vehicle, and the density of the atmosphere. It is expected 
that nearly all the fuel will be consumed through either explosion or burning. 
The explosive force will depend on the quantity of fuel remaining and degree 
of mixing. The quantity of fuel remaining will not change for the Agena B 
booster for the duration of the command destruct capability. For the Atlas, 
fuel quantity will decrease nearly linearly during each impulse phase. 

The velocity of the vehicle contributes to breakup while the vehicle is in 
denser atmosphere. The degree of breakup may be less if the destruct action 
is taken at a later time during Atlas impulse when the remaining fuel is less 
and the atmospheric density is lower. The vehicle velocity, however, will 
be higher and the re-entry conditions will be more severe. This will result 
in additional breakup on re-entry. In general, the extent of breakup will be 
proportional to the kinetic energy of the vehicle at the time of the destruct 
action. 

4.3.2 Estimated Number and Size of Pieces 

On the basis of these considerations it is expected that the size and quantity 
of pieces that will survive to surface impact will vary with the time at which 
the destruct action is taken. It is expected that a few large pieces will result 
and survive from an early destruct action and that only high density pieces 
having a greater structural strength are expected to survive for either a late 
destruct or a normal orbital decay re-entry. The effects of a destruct action 
at any other time will fall in between these extremes. The number of pieces 
will increase with time because of the energy contained in the vehicle, which 




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increases with time, and the reaction of the destructed vehicle with the 
atmosphere during either ascent or re-entry. The number of dangerous 
pieces however, will decrease with time for the same reason. An estimate 
of the surviving major pieces (exclusive of skin pieces, fragments, or 
molten metal pellets) and weights are tabulated below: 



a. Early destruct 



Surviving Piece 

Atlas booster section 

Atlas external equipment pod 

Atlas external equipment pod 

Atlas/Agena adapter and Agena aft section 

Agena battery 

Ranger payload including adapter and shroud 



b. Late destruct 



Surviving Piece 

Atlas thrust chamber gimbals 
Atlas pump drive and turbine 
Atlas vernier engines (each) 
Agena forward equipment rack 
Agena rocket motor 
Ranger (several pieces) 



Weight (lb) 

7200 
1600 
1800 

700 

140 

800 



Weight (lb) 

430 
230 
50 
400 
300 
20-80 



One destruct action has been taken on an Agena booster where the pieces 
have been recovered. This was Discoverer X which was destroyed at 
20, 900 feet. The second booster of this composite vehicle was an Agena A. 
It is expected that a destruct action on an Agena B under the same conditions 
would be very similar. The dispersion of the pieces suggests that all breakup 
occurred prior to impact. The recovered pieces of the Discoverer X Agena A 
are listed below: 

Engine 

Forward section and Payload 

Hydraulic package 

Nitrogen sphere 

Helium sphere 

Several large skin pieces 



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4.3.3 Effects of Explosion on Velocity of Pieces 

At all but the earliest phases of a vehicle flight, the forward velocity im- 
parted to fragments by virtue of the vehicle velocity will be much greater 
than that caused by the explosive force. For flight times greater than 
30 seconds, the forward velocity imparted to the pieces by the explosion can 
be considered to be negligible. The energy required to cause lateral disper- 
sion of the pieces, normal to the vehicle velocity vector, will be supplied 
solely by the forces of the explosion. The initial lateral velocity imparted to 
an average size fragment by this force is estimated to be not more than 
250 FPS. 

4.4 DRAG ESTIMATE PLOTS 

The expected effects of destruct explosion, estimates of C, versus Mach 
number for pieces which,after destruct, are expected to travel maximum 
and minimum distances, and the effects of explosion on velocity of pieces 
for the Atlas vehicle are contained in reference (b).''~ 

Calculations for the Agena stage have shown that the range of C ,A/W for the 
maximum and minimum distance pieces from the Agena vehicle lie within the 
C ,A/W range given in reference (b) for the Atlas vehicle. 

4. 5 MISCELLANEOUS DATA 

The tracking equipment on board the flight vehicle which can be used for 
range safety purposes is as follows: 

a. Atlas telemetry transmitter 

b. Atlas Azusa transponder 

c. General Electric Mod III-G transponder 

d. Agena "C" band transponder 



* Convair Report ZC-7 136. subject "Trajectory and Aerodynamic Information for XSM-65 Missile Flights," 
26 June 1959, Secret 




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The approximate time delay between activation of mainstage firing circuits 
and first vehicle motion is 4. 5 seconds. First motion is defined as two inches 
of movement. 

The trajectory deviations expected for the most adverse wind condition for 
which a launch could be expected are contained in the 3a trajectory tabula- 
tions. The effects of nonstandard variations in wind, yaw gyro drift rate, 
and roll gyro drift rate were included in these calculations. 

The nominal duration of each impulse phase can be derived from the trajec- 
tory tabulations contained in the addenda to the appendices. 

The nominal duration of Atlas vernier phase is 18.43 seconds. 

The maximum burn time and maximum impact range are 307. 6 seconds after 
launch and 1701 nm downrange, assuming the Atlas burns to fuel exhaustion. 



4-9 
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LMSD-377728 



SECTION 5 
FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM 

5. 1 GENERAL 

Flight termination systems are provided on each booster of the Ranger 
vehicle. They provide for the termination of all flight capability from launch 
to Atlas sustainer engine cutoff. Since the spacecraft contains no propellants, 
a flight termination system is not considered necessary. Automatic termina- 
tion is provided in the event of inadvertent separation between the first and 
second boosters. These systems include a safety feature which will pre- 
clude inadvertent detonation of the destruct charges during preflight check- 
out and countdown on the pad. They are as follows: 

a. Each system can be armed and disarmed remotely from the 
blockhouse 

b. Arming devices have a mechanical lockout to prevent erro- 
neous arming. (A pin must be manually removed before 
either destruct package can be armed) 

c. Simulators are substituted for the destruct package during 
prelaunch checkout. 

5.2 ATLAS FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM 

This system is known as the Range Safety Command subsystem on the Atlas. 
It is a frequency modulated system which is compatible with the ground 
command destruct system at AFMTC. The system consists of two inde- 
pendent command destruct paths which have in common the antenna and 
coupler and the main destruct charge. Each path consists of the antenna 
and coupler, command receiver, battery, arming device, and primer and 
booster charges. The units of the command receiver are: broadband 
converter, variable IF amplifier, fixed IF amplifier and discriminator, 
audio amplifier, audio tone filters and detectors, channel relay amplifiers 



5-1 




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LMSD-377728 



and relays, and a transistorized power supply. The arming device consists 
of two relays and a switch which short-circuits the primer leads and isolates 
the destructor units from receiver commands when in a safe condition. The 
coupling arrangement between the antennas and the receivers is such that 
the radiation pattern seen by one receiver complements the radiation 
pattern seen by the other. As long as both receivers are operative, essen- 
tially omnidirectional coverage is provided. If one receiver should fail 
approximately 85 percent coverage is provided with an antenna gain that is 
greater than 10 db below that of an isotropic radiator. Either fuel cutoff 
or a de struct action will be effected when the appropriate tone combination 
is received by the system. . Detailed information on this system is provided 
in LMSD-447590-A, Ranger Flight Termination System , 28 February 1961, 
Confidential. 

5. 3 AGENA B FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEM 

This system consists of two independent circuits which utilize the dual 
command destruct signal inputs from the Atlas first booster. These circuits 
and destruct charge are located in the adaptor section between the 
Agena B and the Atlas. This provision will permit the destruct system to 
remain with the Atlas on separation which will eliminate weight and destruct 
capability during the Agena boost phase. 

Dual independent premature separation destruct circuits are also provided. 
Each circuit consists of independent battery, wiring, and squibs for the 
initiation primer. These circuits are actuated when a lanyard releases 
either of the two (2) separation switches mounted on the adaptor at the base 
of the vehicle. Some components of each circuit are shared with the com- 
mand destruct circuits. These circuits are disarmed and "safed" before 
programmed separation of the Agena B. Detailed information on this system 
is provided in LMSD-447590-A, Ranger Flight Termination System, 
28 February 1961, Confidential. 



5-2 



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LMSD-377728 



APPENDIX A 



BLOCKHOUSE 



OFF 



ARM POWER 
SWITCH 



LAUNCH COORDINATORS CONSOLE 
ON 

TTJT 
® © © © 

ARM SAFE SQUIB NO. 1 SQUIB NO. 2 



ARM 

safe; 



& 



TJ 



SAFE 



DESTRUCT SWITCH 



SAFE 
CHECK 
SEPARATION 
SWITCHES 



PRESS TO TEST- 



44759O-A-006 



UMBILICAL JUNCTION- 



HORIZON SENSORS - 
VHFTM ANTENNA - 



C-BAND BEACON ANTENNA - 
960 MC PARASITIC ANTENNA- 



DESTRUCT CHARGE - 




PAD AREA 



VEHICLE 
ADAPTER 



LOWER TM & RSC ANTENNA 

LOWER GUIDANCE ANTENNA 

LOWER (STUB) POD 

AZUSA ANTENNA 

FUEL FILL 4 
DRAIN CONNECTION - 



Figure A- 1 Agena-B/Atlas Vehicle 



A-l 



INFLIGHT 
DISCONNECT 
CABLE FAIRING 



•RATE GYRO PACK 



-FUEL TANK 
•DESTRUCT UNIT 




SUSTAINER 
THRUST CHAMBER 



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APPENDIX B 




NOTE: 

FOOT A, C, E HAVE TENSION/ 
SHEAR TIE MOUNTING POINTS 

FOOT B, D, F HAVE SPRING-LOADED 
SHEAR TIE MOUNTING 

FOOT C IS INDEXING POINT 



9A1J2 PLUG 

(ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT) 



SPACECRAFT 
SUPPORT ASSEMBLY 



9A1J1 PLUG 

(ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT) 



FOOTC 



Figure B-l Ranger Spacecraft, Basic Structure 



B-l 



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LMSD-3777 23 



APPENDIX C 
VACUUM IMPACT POINTS PREMATURE ATLAS CUTOFF 

C 1 ADDENDUM APPENDIX TABLES 

Trajectory data printout listings from the IBM 7090 computer are issued as 
a separate Addendum Appendix, with distribution limited to the list shown 
under "Distribution" at the end of this document. 

Tables C-l thru C-5 contain a locus of vacuum impact points for various 
premature cutoff times along the nominal, 3cr maximum, 3o~ minimum, and 
3cr lateral right trajectories generated using a closed-loop simulation incor- 
porating the effects of the Atlas ascent guidance equations. These are the 
same trajectories contained in Appendix D, Tables D- 1 thru D-4 and include 
times corresponding to booster cut-off, sustainer cut-off and vernier cut-off. 

Table C-l gives the expected impact points for the Atlas booster and sustainer 
packages if they do not burn up upon re-entry into the atmosphere. In the 
event burn up does not occur then data on the pieces will be comparable to 
that given in Reference a. 

Tables C-2 thru C-4 give the expected impact dispersion points about the 
nominal for the Atlas booster and sustainer packages. Impact points are on 
an ellipsoidal, rotating earth. 

Table C-5 contains the impact points for a normal Atlas going to fuel 
exhaustion which apply if normal thrust termination does not occur. 






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LMSD-3777 28 



APPENDIX D 
RANGER TRAJECTORY TABLES 



D. 1 ADDENDUM APPENDIX TABLES 

Trajectory data printout listings from the IBM 7090 computer are issued 
as a separate Addendum Appendix, with distribution limited to the list 
shown under "Distribution" at the end of this document. 

Tables D-l thru D-5 contain the computer listings simulating the Atlas 
phase of flight for the nominal trajectory; and, for the 3o" trajectories of 
maximum performance, minimum performance and lateral right deviation. 
The 3t T left deviation trajectory is assumed to be symmetrical to that of 
the 3a right deviation. Tables D-l thru D-3 contain the following data at 
one second intervals. 

a. Position coordinates (x, y s z) (ft) vs time in sec. 

b. Velocity components (x, y, z ) in ft/sec vs time (sec) 



V2 2 2 

x + y + z (ft/sec) vs time (sec) 

d. Path angle of velocity vector relative to the local horizontal 
(deg) vs time (sec) 

e. Altitude above earth's surface (ft) vs time (sec) 

f. Ground range from launch pad to a point directly beneath the 
missile (ft) vs time (sec) 

g. Total weight (lbs) vs time (sec) 

h. Thrust (lbs) vs time (sec) 

2 
i. Longitudinal acceleration (ft/sec ) vs time (sec) 

The position and velocity values are referenced to an orthogonal, earth- 
fixed coordinate system with origin at the launching pad. The nominal 
trajectory is based upon nominal weight and engine log thrust and fuel 
flow data. The 3a maximum and 3a minimum performance trajectories 



D-l 



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define at any time after launch the limits of normality as far as impact 
range is concerned. The 3<r maximum-performance (fast, light, lofted 
missile) was assumed to have high thrust, low takeoff weight, low specific 
impulse, head winds, and reduced booster stage programmed pitch program. 
The 3cr minimum performance (slow, heavy, low missile) has low thrust, 
high take-off weight, high specific impulse, tail winds and increased 
booster stage programmed pitch program. 

It should be noted that Table D-5 presents the above trajectory data for a 
normal Atlas going to fuel exhaustion, applies if normal thrust termination 
does not occur. All of the trajectory tables in the Addendum Appendix have 
been calculated using wind profile magnitudes, above which a launch would 
not be attempted and therefore give the maximum expected trajectory 
deviation during the first 60 to 70 seconds of flight. 



D-2 




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LMSD-377728 



REFERENCES 



(a) AZN-27-117, Angular Turn of Velocity Vector Due to Tumbling D 

Series Missile , Convair- Astronautics, San Diego, Calif. , 15 June 1959 



(b) ZC-7-136, Trajectory and Aerodynamic Information for XSM-65 
Missile Flights , Convair-Astronautics, San Diego, Calif. , 
2 6 June 1959 

(c) 



SSTG TR61- 148, NASA Ranger Program Range Safety Analysis , 
Siegler Corp., Inglewood, Calif., 10 March 1961 UmmmQi) 



(d) 



General instructions to distribution from AFMTC /MTRSM/RM 
Montgomery/ 65 17 (14 pp), Trajectory and Aerodynamic Data Require- 
ments for Atlas, Titan, Atlas-Able, Atlas -Mercury, and Similar 
Missiles, 9 June 196^ 



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DISTRIBUTION 
BASIC DOCUMENT 



Addressee Quantity 

C ommande r 21 

Air Force Space Systems Division 

Air Research and Development Command 

Attn: Tech. Data Center 

Air Force Unit Post Office 

Los Angeles 45, California 

NASA Headquarters 2 

1520 H Street, N. W. 

Washington 25, D. C. 

Attn: Lt. Cmdr. A. J. Kelley (1st copy) 

NASA Headquarters 

1520 H Street, N. W. 

Washington 25, D. C. 

Attn: W. A. Fleming (2nd copy) 

George C. Marshall Space Flight Center 5 

AGENA/CENTAUR Systems Office 

Hunts ville, Alabama 

Attn: John F. Stone, M-A & C-PR 

Info: Mr. Hans Hueter, Director 

Dr. K. H. Debus, Director 4 

NASA Launch Operations Directorate 
Titusville, Florida 
Attn: Dr. A. H. Knothe 

Goddard Space Flight Center 2 

4555 Overlook Avenue, S. W. 
Washington 25, D. C. 
Attn: M. Moseson 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California 
Attn: Clifton Cummings 

Mr. H. N. Levy 1 

Jet Propulsion Laboratories 

COMTA 

Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 



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I. 



DISTRIBUTION (Continued) 



Addressee Quantity 

Lockheed Aircraft Corporation 1 

Missiles and Space Division 
Sunnyvale, California 
Attn: R. E. Pace 

NASA Representative 

Air Force Space Systems Division 1 

Air Force Unit Post Office 
Los Angeles 45, California 
Attn: V. G. Cummins 

NASA Representative 

Air Force Space Systems Division 2 

Air Force Unit Post Office 
Los Angeles 45, California 
Attn: Maj. J. G. Albert, SSVR 

Lt. Col. H. Myers 1 

6555th Test Wing 

AFSSD, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 

P. E. Culbertson 5 

Convair Astronautics 

P.O. Box 1128 

San Diego 12, California 

W. R. Whelan 1 

Lockheed Resident Representative 

Convair Astronautics 

P.O. Box 1128 

San Diego 12, California 

W. E. Dombert 2 

Burroughs Corporation 
Paoli, Pennsylvania 

W. Caldwell 2 

AMR Test Operations Office 

Burroughs Corporation 

P.O. Box 105 

Port Canaveral, Florida 



/ 

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DISTRIBUTION 
ADDENDUM APPENDIX (LMSD-377728- 1) 



Addressee Quantity 

C ommande r 1 

Air Force Space Systems Division 

Air Research and Development Command 

Attn: Tech. Data Center 

Air Force Unit Post Office 

Los Angeles 45, California 

Dr. K. H. Debus, Director 4 

NASA Launch Operations Directorate 
Titusville, Florida 
Attn: Dr. A. H. Knothe 

Air Force Space Systems Division 1 

Air Force Unit Post Office 
Los Angeles 45, California 
Attn: Maj. J. G. Albert, SSVR 

Lt. Col. H. Myers 1 

6555th Test Wing 

AFSSD, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida 

LMSC Organizations 4 



11 



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DISTRIBUTION (Continued) 

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M. M. Davis 2 

Defense Systems Department 
General Electric Company 
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J. L. Norton 2 

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Los Angeles 45, California 

LMSC Organizations 44 

100 



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